Abu Dhabi welcomes Emissaries of Mangalore Diocese

By Alphonse Mendonsa & Thomas Sequeira, Team Mangalorean
Pics by: Broadway, Abu Dhabi
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 17 November 2011:  “Come let us join hands to build our community “ under this banner catholic community of Abu Dhabi welcomed Rt Rev Msgr Denis MorasPrabhu, Vicar General of the diocese along with Rev Fr Walter D’Mello, Parish Priest of Milagres Church, Mangalore - emissaries of the diocese announced good news of the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations and requested for their financial support to the various jubilee projects.   The short briefing on Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations was held at the India Social and Cultural Centre.  Various community leaders and community members were present during this get-together.

 

Mr. Leo Rodrigues (Ex President KOC & Businessman) along with Mr. Michael D’Silva (current President KCO) escorted the emissaries to the dais.  Canute Pinto welcomed the gathering  and Michael D’Silva addressed the audience and he welcomed Msgr. Denis Moras and Rev. Fr. Walter D’Mello and briefed about the reason for their visit to Abu Dhabi and requested Fr. Walter to brief the audaince on Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations . Ms. Lydia (KCO General Secretary) offered the flower bouquets to them.  A short prayer was said by Mr. Valerian Almeida and evoked God’s blessings.

 

Fr. Walter in his addressed thanked the organizers and especially Leo Rodrigues for inviting him to Abu Dhabi and arranging the gathering.  He started with a brief history of Catholics in India and said that the Catholics have history of over 500 years when the missionaries from west started the mission in Canara beginning of the 15th century.  He also explained that in the 500 years, our community has made tremendous progress despite having all difficulties and adversaries from various corners.  Today we are proud and happy that the Mangalorean community has spread all over the globe and progressing in every front esp. in the field of education.

 

A short video presentation was shown highlighting how the Mangalorean Diocese was established 125 years ago and also how peacefully Mangalorean lived along with their brethren of other communities belonging to various religions.  The presentation depicted all religious and community celebrations held by all religious communities, progress made in the field of education, social and development and establishment of various catholic institutions, congregations, schools, colleges, technical and engineering institutions, hospitals and also various social developments taken places during these 152 history of our diocese.

 

 

Msgr. Denis Morasexplained the various charitable projects taken up by the Diocese on the occasion of Post Centenary celebrations.  He said when Bishop asked him how can be celebrate the spirit of Post Centenary, he advised him to begin with the projects that are very badly need by our under-privileged brethren of our community and instead of wasting money on fire-crackers or pomp celebration, let us concentrate on needs of our community esp. free education up to P.U.C. for those who can’t afford, houses for poor in each parish and other charitable projects for which Bishop agreed and the projects have already taken place and begun.  He requested to be generous and contribute whatever you can to the less fortunate brothers of our community.  He praised all members of our community donating generously towards the various needs of the diocese and especially from Gulf Countries.

 

A question and answer session was held wherein members requested how the fund would be utilized and which are the main projects.  Msgr. Denis Moras said that the housing project has already started and a few houses already been completed and many more houses are under construction and part of money is already being paid for the construction of 160 houses i.e. estimated cost of Rs.2 Lakhs for each house.

 

Fr. Walter D’Mello then requested a committee to be formed to effectively collect the fund and for meeting all members of our community here in Abu Dhabi and generate as much fund as possible for these projects.

 

The following ten members committee has been proposed by community members and will be meeting at Leo Rodrigues residence on 18th November at 10:00am.

 

Valerian Almeida, Richard Mendonsa, Richard Castelino, Ronald Lobo, Walter Almeida, Michael D’Silva, Canute Pinto, Susie Fernandes, Lavina Rodrigues and Alphonse Mendonsa.